Blog
National Flood Insurance Program Re-Opens for Business
December 30, 2018
As a result of the economic impact data provided by REALTORS®, and with the help of Congress and the White House, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reversed its decision! On Friday, December 28, 2018, FEMA announced that it will resume the sale of new flood insurance policies and the renewal of expiring policies. Click […]
Act Now to Protect Association Health Plans
December 20, 2018
Virginia REALTORS® Action Alert We need your help to protect lower cost health options for you and your family! Earlier this year, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring entered Virginia in a lawsuit against a U.S. Department of Labor ruling that expanded the definition of “employer” to include “working owner” in Association Health Plans (AHP). Virginia […]
It’s Time to Vote!
November 2, 2018
On Tuesday, November 6th, a General Election will be held at all precincts in Loudoun County. On the ballot will be candidates for United State Senator, United States House of Representatives, two Constitutional Amendments, and two Loudoun County bond questions. Additionally, some residents will vote to fill Town Mayor or Town Council seats. To verify […]
USDA Proposes Changes to Ease Rural Loan Eligibility Requirements
September 20, 2018
More households are expected to get Rural Housing Service (RHS) loans under a proposed rule released on August 31, 2018. The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposes changes to its single-family direct and guaranteed loan and grant programs that includes a two-tier system for determining eligibility. The rule also proposes revisions to how it calculates household […]
REALTORS® Score Big Win on Business Income Deduction
August 10, 2018
On Wednesday, August 8, 2018, the IRS published proposed rules on the 20 percent business income deduction that was created as part of last year’s tax reform law. The rules are a win for real estate because they make clear that broad limitations included in the law will not apply to real estate professionals. Under […]
Dept. of Labor’s Association Health Plan Rule Challenged in Court
August 3, 2018
As DAAR reported in June, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expanded access to affordable health coverage options for America’s small businesses and their employees through Association Health Plans. Last week, twelve attorney generals (AGs) filed suit against the DOL challenging the new rule. The state AG’s include New York, Massachusetts, California, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, […]
Breaking News: Flood Insurance Extension Passes Overwhelmingly
July 31, 2018
In a big win for REALTORS®, the National Flood Insurance Program will continue renewing or issuing new insurance for four more months under legislation overwhelmingly passed by the U.S. Senate today. The bill, which cleared the House last week, is expected to be signed into law before midnight tonight, when the program expires. “We applaud […]
NAR Call for Action: Congress Must Reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program
July 5, 2018
The current National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is set to expire on July 31st if there is no Congressional action. Without federal flood insurance, millions of home and small business owners in 22,000 communities nationwide will not be able to obtain insurance to protect their property against flooding! This will cause an estimated delay or cancellation […]
What the Association Health Plan Rule Means for REALTORS®
June 22, 2018
The U.S Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized its long-awaited Association Health Plan (AHP) rule to expand the definition of “employer” to include “working owners.” This change allows real estate professionals and other self-employed individuals to participate in association health plans. A key provision, forwarded for inclusion in the rule by NAR, will allow many REALTORS® […]
USDA Reviews Eligible Areas for Housing Loans
February 23, 2018
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) provides direct and guaranteed loans to home buyers in designated rural or “rural in character” areas throughout the country. Every five years, RHS reviews localities to determine if they should remain eligible for its housing loan products. The four areas currently under review in Loudoun […]